Next
Next plc · United Kingdom
Next is a British fashion and home retailer whose first stores opened in 1982 under the tailoring group Hepworth, later renamed Next plc. Led by chief executive Lord Simon Wolfson since 2001, it is a FTSE 100 company in which online sales now exceed store sales, and it runs a growing portfolio of brands and its Total Platform service for third parties.
| First store | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Parent | Next plc (FTSE 100) |
| Headquarters | Enderby, Leicestershire, United Kingdom |
| CEO | Simon Wolfson (since 2001) |
| Online sales | 3.87 billion pounds (year to January 2026) |
| Website | next.co.uk |
What is Next?
Next is one of the UK's largest clothing and homeware retailers, selling its own label alongside third-party brands through stores, its website and app. Its parent, Next plc, is listed on the London Stock Exchange, belongs to the FTSE 100 and is headquartered in Enderby, Leicestershire. Simon Wolfson (Lord Wolfson of Aspley Guise) has been chief executive since 2001.
History
The company traces its roots to J Hepworth & Son, a Leeds tailor founded in 1864. In 1981 Hepworth bought the Kendalls chain to build a womenswear business called Next, and the first Next store opened on 12 February 1982. Next for Men followed in 1984, and in 1986 the parent was renamed Next plc. The Next Directory home shopping catalogue launched in 1988, and online shopping at next.co.uk followed in 1999. In 2020 Next signed the first client for its Total Platform service. Since 2021 it has taken stakes in or acquired Reiss, Joules, FatFace, Made.com and Cath Kidston, and formed a joint venture to run Gap's UK e-commerce.
Products and positioning
Next sells womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, footwear and an extensive home range at mid-market prices. Its own label is complemented by Lipsy and a large selection of third-party brands sold online.
Business model and distribution
Next is notable for having shifted most of its business online: in the year to January 2026, online sales of 3.87 billion pounds exceeded in-store sales of 3.03 billion pounds. Its financial statements show around 460 Next stores at January 2026, alongside international stores run with franchise partners, and the group runs:
- Next Online, selling its own and third-party brands in the UK and internationally.
- Total Platform, which provides e-commerce, warehousing and logistics to partner brands.
- Licensed and franchised operations, including Victoria's Secret stores and e-commerce in the UK.
Next and technology
Total Platform turns Next's own e-commerce, fulfilment and IT infrastructure into a service for other brands, a business model built on its decades of experience in home shopping.
Why it matters
Next is often cited as one of the most successful transitions from catalogue and stores to online retail. Its platform strategy and acquisitions make it a consolidator of British fashion brands.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Next?
Next is owned by Next plc, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange and part of the FTSE 100. It is led by chief executive Lord Simon Wolfson.
What is Next Total Platform?
Total Platform is a Next plc service that runs e-commerce, warehousing and logistics for other brands using Next's own infrastructure. It signed its first client in 2020 and also supports brands in which Next has invested.
